Box construction



March 4, 1941. '.1. N. POWELL BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed May 13, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 4, 1941. 1 N; POWELL 2,233,488

BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed May 13, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 f' ff 7; @-12 j l J x K Jfzeyw.

Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in containers and more particularly to dispensing cartons for dry materials of a. granular, comminuted or powdery nature, as for instance sugar, coffee, grains, cereals, soap flakes, chips,

powders, and the like.

The main objects of the invention are to provide such a device with an operable closure and dispensing member so formed and incorporated as to serve either as a plain closure or as a pouring spout which is readily swingable to accommodate one function or the other; to provide therefor automatic locking means for positively retaining the spout member in its outlet closing position; to provide for making such a container from a single blank of flat stock material; to provide therein movement limiting side wings for the pouring spout; to provide in such a device, means to prevent the pouring spout from being forced inward too far or into the interior of the container; to provide in such a device, guide means to keep the side wing travel close to the adjacent side walls respectively; and to provide a device of this character which is sim,- ple in construction and operation, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of this invention and its great utility will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and description.

Threey illustrative embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved container in closed or inoperative position.

Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. 1 except it shows the tongue-bearing stationary ap partly pressed inwardly in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental perspective View of the same showing the pouring spout in open or operative position.

Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 2, except the pouring flap is shown pressed inwardly beyond the normal closed position to cause the tongue lock to be seated on the outer face of the pouring flap and positively lock the same in closed position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig, 6 is a view showing the blank from which the container is made.

Figs. 7 and 8 are perspective views of a modified form of container showing the same in closed position in Fig. "I and in open position in Fig. 8.

Fig. 9 is a fragmental sectional view taken on the line 9 8 of Fig. 7,

Fig. 10 is a view showing the blank from which the container shown in Figs. 'l to 9 is made.

Figs. 11 and 12 are Perspective views of another modied form of container shown in closed position in Fig. 11 and in open position in Fig. 12.

Figs. 13 and 14 are sectional views taken on the lines I3-I3 and I4-I4 of Fig. 11, respectively,

Fig. 15 is a view showing the blank from which the container shown in Figs. 11 and 12 is made.

The novel containers herein disclosed are formed from single blanks of single sheet material such as cardboard, fiber board, and like materials.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the pasteboard container I is made from a blank 2. It is provided with side wall panels I' and I and end wall panels 3 and 4, the longitudinal edges of which are defined by suitable score lines i 5, 6, 'l and 8 to facilitate folding. The bottom of the container is composed of flaps 9, I0, II and I2 folded one over the other as is customary in containers of this general class.

The top construction, wherein resides the present invention, comprises pairs of side and end flaps I3, I4, I5 and I6. Score lines I'I and I8 extend the full length of the blank and define the tops and bottoms of the vertical walls of the container.

TheV pouring spout comprises the end flap I5 and side wings I9 and 20. The side flaps I4 and I6 and wings I9 and 20 are so cut that the liaps I4 and I6 are provided with integrally formed projections or linut stops 2I and 22 and the wings I9 and 20 with retaining projections or stops 23 and 24, the mutually related stop purpose of which will be hereinafter described.

The side flap I6 is also formed with a resiliently yieldable tongue 25 to serve as a locking means for the dispenser spout when the dispenser is in closed or inoperative position.

In folding the blank 2 to form'the container I, it is first folded along the score lines 5, 6, 'I and 8 to the position substantially as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 after which the elongated narrow gummed strip 26, shown attached integrally to end panel 3 at the score line 5, is fastened to the inner side of the side Wall 2 in the usual manner. The top ap I3 is then folded inwardly and flap I4 folded thereon; then the flap I6 isV folded on the flap I4 and is secured thereto by gluing, cementing or the like. 'Ihe wings I9 and 20 are then each bent inwardly toward each other and moved forwardly toward the interior of the container'v and then. each is forced outwardly, the wing 20 over the portion 22 andthe Wing I9 over the portion 2|, so that each of thel wings I9 andf2|l will'lie in the crotches 21 and 28 respectivelyvformed on the flaps I4 and -I6 respectively,

Figure 3 illustrates the position of the top after folding the container as described. It will now be notedv that by turning, the ap I6 forwardly to its most natural forward position, suba stantially as shown in Fig. 4,- in closingthe box,

the edge 29 will abut against the protruding stops 2|, 22 and tongue 25. 'I'hen by exerting a A-tongue, when the tongue 25 lwill straighten out pletely closing the container.

25 portions 2| and 22 serve as side edge supports also will rb ow the' flaps I5 protruding portions or stops 23- and i' -ate edges of the wings :body vand bottom l5, Fig. 1, and comand lie onthe upper facel of the flap thereby locking the pouring spout to prevent the fiap I5 from being forced into the interior-of the container. f

To open the pouring spout, the stationary or non-folding flap I6 is pressed inwardly in the direction of the arrow shown 4in Fig. 2. 'I'his and I6 inward1 yand will cause the tongue-25 to be bent outwardly in a direction substantially 90 or more from the position shown in Fig.`5. The fiap I6 being supported at its sides is thus bowed inwardly a suicient distance to permit the tongue 25 to right itself under the ap I5. When the;resil lent spout fiap I5 is thus released, it snaps outward to partially opened position. |5-is then 'manually swung outwardly until the 24 abut against the portions 2| and 22 to limit the outward movement of 4the spout. It is now apparent how the fiap I5 andwing's I9 and v2|! provide a most convenient pouring spout and lid of unitary design. It is als'o to be noted that as arcu- I94 and 20 travel in the crotch portions 21 and 2'8 the wings are forced to travel in aplane parallel 4to the plane of the y side panels I and 2 and each adjacent thereto respectively. v c l The pourable dry material tobe housed in the containerfis first inserted inthe container upside-down, as by the packer, and then the flaps 9, I0, II and I2 arefoldedinto closing relation to-provide the bottom of the container.

In the .two modified forms of construction shown in Figs. 7 to 10 and 11 to 14 the main c portions are identical to those shown' in the preferred embodiment of Figs. 1 to '6 and therefore like numerals are used" to -identify similar parts.

The modication of Athe construction shown in The-fiaps I3, I4 and I6 are the saine as in the preferred embodiment I6 do not have the ftcan readily be seen that when the segmental or more,v

'I'he protruding v.not provided with side wings.v

The flap ingan opening in except that the flaps Il and protruding portions 2| and l 22. The pouring spout in this. modification com- Y wardly projecting tab from the vertical score lines 1 and 8` said tab by pressure on portions 3|) and 3| are creased on the score lines .'32 and folded toward each other the fiap I5 will closed position. Similarly as. inA the preferred embodiment slight inward pressure exerted' at and in the direction of the arrow B will cause thespout to snap open ready for a pouring operation.`

vsimilarly as m the modified form shown-in Figures 7 to 1Q, the body and bottom portions of the modified form shown in Figs. 11 to 14 Ainclusive are similar tothe forms shown in the preferred embodiment.

-The top portion comprising flaps I3, III, I5.

and I6 are also similar except that the flaps I4 and I6 are provided with integrally formed longitudinally extending segmental strips 35 and 36 which are also formed integrally with the side panels I' and I" respectively.` See Figs. 12 14 and 15. The flap|5 4in` this modified form is It is apparent that the strips 35 and 36A serve to prevent the ap I5 from the carton.

I'he operation of this modified vform islike that 'v of the previously described other forms.

summarizing briey. the tongue portion 25 facts as-a locking'lmeans for the spout when not in use to prevent spilling of the contents and also to keep foreign matter o'ut of the container.

The protrusions 2| and 22'and 35 and 36' serve to prevent 'the spout from being into the interior .of the container.

The protrusions 2| and 22 also serve as guide means for sliding wings I9 and-,20 respectively being -forced into the interior of -unduly forced so as to limit the movement of the wings to nearly the same plane as the side panels I and If and thereby prevent their and all' the parts f the container are -autog e nouslyvintegral in the blank.l

It is to be understood that some of the details set forth may be altered or omitted Without departing from the spirit 'of the invention as dened -by the appended claims.

I claim: v

1. A pasteboard box comprising/a shell havone end thereof, a flap xedly positioned across andclosing substantially onehalf of said end and having its free edge terminating substantially on a line transverse of said end of said box midway 'thereacross, a closure for the remainder of said vend comprising a flap hinged on one edge of said box opposite the free edge of the secured flap, the free edge terminatinterference with the contents of the container. Y I y may readily be stamped out ing in substantial meeting relation with the free edge of said fixed flap, an integrally formed out- 'positioned -on the free edge ofsaid fixed flap substantially in mid portion and overlapping said free edge of said closure flap, theresliencyof said closure flap Aand i ing an opening in one end thereof, a ap xedly positioned across and closing substantially onehalf of said end'and having its free edge lterminating substantially on a line transverse of said end of said box midway thereacross, a closure for the remainder of said end comprising a. flap hinged on one edge of said boxiopposite the free edge of the secured flapy the free edge terminating in substantial meeting relation with the free edge of said fixed flap, an integrally formed outwardly projecting tab positioned on the free edge of said xed flap substantially in mid portion and overlapping said free edge of said closure 3 flap, the resiliency of said closurefiap and fixed' flap and tab functioning to lock saidclosure flap in position by pressure thereon to snap said closure beneath said projecting tab and -to release said closure from locking position from said tab by pressure on said fixed flap, and sector-shaped side wings formed on the side edges of the closure ap and extending at right-angles to said closure ap toward the interior of said shell and arranged to be shifted into the interior of said shell upon inward movement of said closure flap.

' JOHN N. POWELL. 

